In the Picture:  Career Center Specialist Denise Carr looks over the guitar selection at the Fret Store with storeowner Daryl Williams. Williams will be part of a panel discussion answering questions and providing advice to people thinking about opening their own small business on Nov. 18 at the Tennessee Career Center at Talbott.

The Tennessee Career Center at bott is offering three special workshops planned for prospective entrepreneurs. If you’re thinking about starting your own business, learn the basics of technology, bookkeeping and financing. The workshops are free and are funded through an agreement with Walters State Community College and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The first workshop, “Small Business Technology Information Seminar” covers how computer applications can make operating a small business much easier for today’s entrepreneurs. It is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. This workshop is taught by Jason Hodges.

The second seminar features a panel of successful entrepreneurs from this area who will share their advice and experience. This workshop will be Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The panel still has room for entrepreneurs who would like to share their knowledge.

The third workshop is entitled “I Want to Be an Entrepreneur” and will be presented by SCORE, the society of retired executives. This workshop begins at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 25 and will include information about franchising opportunities and financing.

“People are looking for opportunities now. The economy has changed so much and we’re still in a transition. At the end of the 20^th century, we transitioned from an agricultural- based economy to one based in industry. Now are moving out of the industrial economy and into a service-based economy,” said Denise Carr, a career center specialist that has organized the events.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the growing many new jobs. It’s as though we’re going back where the small business instead of the large corporation is going to be the backbone of the economy,” she added.

For more information, contact Carr at (423) 317-1060.